What to Wear in Spring Skiing

As it warms up, I have been looking for a light weight ski jacket, but I am thinking of just using my soft shell walking jacket with one or two layers below.

What does anyone else wear and have they tried a soft shell jacket?

I skiied this year (cross country admittedly) ina soft shell jacket, and found it extremely comfortable, and practical. The only problem with downhill, particluarly off-piste, I guess, would be the lack of a snow skirt. :)

Yes, and it works well. It's all about layers and wind-proofing.

snowy0000 wrote:What does anyone else wear and have they tried a soft shell jacket?

Yep. For late season skiing I've a soft shell that goes over either a thin microfleece or a merino t-shirt depending on the temperatures.

Volf's point about wind-proofing is important though; even on warm days the wind up the mountain can be very cold and you'll lose heat rapidly if your shell isn't up to it. As long as it is, then you'll often be ok with a single base layer.

I always have a buff on hand just in case - to keep the neck warm and stop the wind getting down the collar.

Yesterday in sölden was a perfect example of careful choice of clothing. 8c at valley level but -2 at the top, but it felt a lot warmer than that.
Base later, micro fleece and a thin wind proof outer shell - I never ski in a padded or insulated ski jacket even in very cold temps as I find them restricting.
At one point I thought about taking off the fleece but as the afternoon passed it soon turned chilly as the sun weakened so it's important you have more layers than you mifht think as you start on a warm sunny morning. You can always take off a layer of needs be.
But a wind proof outer shell is the key.

A buff is handy to protect your neck from burning in the sun if you forgot to put sun cream :) On Saturday I wore a merino T-shirt for base layer, a micro fleece and a shell, but took shell off after one run. The biggest problem for me is ski boots - my feet were melting. Light gloves are a must or you hands will be melting together with feet. Went touring yesterday just to have a break from alpine boots (and find some snow), and spent most of the day in a t-shirt. Sun was brutal and a tube of sunblock was gone in a day.

Thanks for the feed back, I can see the lack of a snow skirt could be a problem, I tend to fall down a bit when off piste. :oops:

I think it will be worth it, so will give it a go with my Soft Shell. At least it will cool me down when I fall down, bit of snow down the back may improve my skiing......

Thanks :wink: